If you’ve ever looked down at your wrist and seen your Apple Watch screen popping off like a loose Pringles lid, you aren't alone. It’s a weird, frustrating experience. One minute you’re checking your heart rate, and the next, you’re staring at the guts of a $400 piece of tech.
For years, people blamed themselves. They thought they hit a door frame or sat on it. But as it turns out, the culprit was often inside the watch itself. Specifically, the battery.
The Apple Watch class action lawsuit—officially known as Smith v. Apple Inc.—finally hit a major milestone in early 2025. Apple agreed to a $20 million settlement to make the headache go away. While $20 million sounds like a lot of money, it's basically pocket change for a company that makes billions. Still, for the thousands of people who dealt with "razor-sharp" glass edges and dead devices, it’s at least some form of acknowledgment.
The Problem Nobody Talked About (Until it Exploded)
The core of the lawsuit was pretty simple but technically messy. Plaintiffs argued that Apple didn't leave enough "wiggle room" inside the watch casing.
Lithium-ion batteries are like sponges. When they age or fail, they sometimes swell up. If there’s no empty space for that swelling to go, the battery pushes against the weakest point. In an Apple Watch, that’s the screen.
The lawsuit alleged that Apple knew about this. They claimed the "dangerous safety hazard" existed across multiple generations, from the original "Series 0" all the way through the Series 6. However, the final settlement focuses primarily on the older models.
Which models are actually covered?
If you’re hoping for a payday on your brand new Ultra 2, you’re out of luck. The $20 million deal specifically targets:
- First Generation (Series 0)
- Series 1
- Series 2
- Series 3
The "Class Period" for this settlement covers reports made between April 24, 2015, and February 6, 2024.
Wait, Am I Getting a Check?
Honestly, the payout isn't going to buy you a new iPhone. Most eligible users are looking at roughly $20 to $50 per device.
The interesting part? You might not even have to file a claim. If Apple’s records show you reached out to support about a swollen battery or a detached screen for those specific models, you were likely automatically included.
The deadline to update payment info or "opt-out" was February 24, 2025. If you missed that window, you're likely already in the system (or out of it). The final approval hearing took place on April 10, 2025, and payments started rolling out via prepaid Mastercards and ACH transfers later that year.
Some people on Reddit reported getting about $25. It’s not a windfall. It's more like a free lunch and a coffee for your three-year legal wait.
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The Masimo Drama: A Different Kind of Lawsuit
While the battery swelling was the "consumer" story, the real heavyweight fight happened between Apple and a medical tech company called Masimo.
This wasn't about a $25 check. This was about the very existence of the blood oxygen sensor in your watch.
In November 2025, a federal jury handed down a massive $634 million verdict against Apple. They ruled that Apple’s heart rate and blood oxygen features infringed on Masimo’s patents. This is why, if you bought a Series 9 or Ultra 2 in the U.S. recently, the blood oxygen feature might have been disabled.
Apple’s defense was basically: "Masimo doesn't even sell consumer products, and their patent is old."
The jury didn't care. They labeled the Apple Watch a "patient monitor," which triggered the patent violation. Apple is currently appealing, but as of early 2026, the feature remains a legal minefield for the company.
Why this matters for you
If you have a watch where the blood oxygen sensor doesn't work, don't expect a quick software fix. This is a high-level corporate war. Apple has even tried workarounds like moving the processing to the iPhone to bypass the "on-device" patent restrictions. It’s clunky. It’s not the "it just works" experience Apple usually brags about.
Toxic Bands and Other Legal Headaches
Just when Apple thought they were clear, new class actions started popping up in late 2025.
One of the most recent ones involves PFAS chemicals (so-called "forever chemicals") in certain watch bands. Another lawsuit claims Apple lied about its "carbon neutral" claims for the Series 9.
It feels like the era of the Apple Watch being the "golden child" of wearables is meeting the reality of large-scale manufacturing and aggressive medical-tech competition.
What You Should Do Now
If you are dealing with a broken watch or wondering about your rights, here is the ground truth:
- Check the Settlement Site: If you had an old Series 1-3 that broke, visit
watchsettlement.com. While the main deadlines have passed, you can often find information on the status of "distributing remaining funds." - Document Everything: If your watch screen is currently lifting, take photos. Do not try to glue it back down. Lithium batteries that are swollen enough to pop a screen are a fire risk.
- Contact Apple Support: Even if you aren't part of a class action, Apple sometimes has internal "quality programs" for known issues that aren't widely publicized. It's always worth a chat session.
- Mind the Blood Oxygen: If you're buying a used Apple Watch in the U.S., check the model number. Many newer units sold during the Masimo dispute have the blood oxygen sensor permanently disabled via software. There is no "hack" to turn it back on.
The $20 million battery settlement is mostly a closed chapter for the original models. But the legal battle over what sensors can be on your wrist—and whether they are safe—is really just getting started.
Keep your receipts. In the world of tech litigation, a three-year-old email to support can sometimes be worth $25. Or at least a bit of vindication.
Actionable Insight: If you currently own an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer and experience screen lifting, do not pay for a third-party repair immediately. Contact Apple directly and mention the "battery expansion" issues seen in previous models. While not officially covered by the Smith settlement, documented safety concerns often lead to out-of-warranty replacements if you're persistent.